Apparatus for elevating water.



WVM/Lewes N. H. FREEMAN.

APPARATUS POR ELEVATING WATER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNM, 190s.

Patented May 16, 1911.

@www/bo@ n N. H. FREEMAN. APPARATUS PoR PLPVATING WATER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4,1908.

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l I l 5b witwassen N. H. FREEMAN. APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING WATER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1908. 992,71 1 Patented May16,1911.

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@Avi/bnc oom 37 @MQ/wf NATl H. FREEMAN, OF BOULDER, COLORADO.

APPARATUS FOR ELEVATING- WATER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16, 1911.

Application led June 4, 1908. Serial No. 436,587.

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, NAT H. FREEMAN, a citizen of the United States,residin at Boulder, in the county of Boulder and tate of Colorado, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for ElevatingWater; and I do declare the followin to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which 1t appert-ains to make and use the same, reference beinghad lo the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures ofreference marked thereon, which igorm a part ot this specification.

My invention relates to improvements 1n apparatus for elevating waterthrough the instrumentality of a series of tanks or receptacles arrangedone above another, the said tanks being connected with an air pumpwhereby the air may be exhausted and the water caused to rise in thetanks in response to the vacuum pull until the tanks are full in whichevent a valve is automatically operated in connection with each tankwhereby communication with the air pump is cut ofie and the tank openedto the atmosphere, in which eventl the air pressure within the tankforces the water out and causes it to rise into the neXt tank, thelat-ter beinO' in communication with the air pump and so on, the waterbeing raised from one tank to another, the dist-ance of the tanks aboveone another being properly regulated to take advantage of the principlethat the weight of the atmosphere will cause the water to rise a certaindistance the latter depending to some eXtentupon the elevation.

My present invention so far as its general features are concerned issubstantially similar to the construction disclosed in my priorapplication Serial No. 419,558, tiled March 6th, 1908, but differstherefrom in the means employed for opening and closing the valvesconnected with the tanks or water receptacles whereby the said tanks arealternately open to the atmosphere and connected with the air pump forexhaust purposes according as it is required to cause the water to enteror pass out of the tank.

In my present construction I employ elec'- tro-magnetic means foroperating the valves of the various tanks, provision being made inconnection with each tank for closing one magnet circuit when the waterhas reached a predetermined level in the tank or when the latter isfull, and another circuit closed when the Water has been driven outl ofthe tank through the weight' of the atmosphere. In one case the valve isoperated to cut of communication with the air pump or suction pipe, andin the other case the valve is operated to open communication with thesuction pipe and cut olf communication between the tank and theatmosphere.,I

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed todescribegthe same in detail reference being made to the accompanyingdrawing in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In this drawing, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved apparatusillustrating two tanks and their attachment-s. Fig. 2 is a view of theconstruction showing two tanks in section and on a larger scale. Fig. 3is a sectional View of an insulating box attached to the top of eachtank and in which t-he contacts are located, whereby the circuits foroperating the valve of each tank is controlled. In this view the partsare shown on a larger scale than in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a similarview showing the rod through whose instrumentality the circuits arecontrolled, in a dilferentrelative position from that shown in Fig. 3.Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the electro-magnetic means for operatingthe valves of the tanks, the valve mechanism being shown in section andthe parts on a larger scale. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing thevarious parts of the mechanism in a different relative posit-ion fromthat shown in Fig.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numerals 5 and 6 designate two tanks arranged one above another.It must be understood that there may be any desired number of thesetanks depending pipe and a pipe for introducing atmospheric air tothetmtank. When the valve is in the position lshown 1n Fig. 5, thepassage 10 registers with an opening 14'formed in the valve casing andinto which is screwed a short open-ended pipe 15 whereby air is allowedto pass into the tank; while when the valve 9 is in the position shownin' Fig. 6, the pipe 7 is cut off from communication with the atmosphereand placed in communication with a suction pipe 16 which is threadedinto an opening 17A formed in the valve casing which opening re isterswith the passage l2, the passage 10 eing closed or cut ott fromcommunication with the atmosphere. These valves are operated through theinstrumentality of a pair of electro-magnets designated 17 and 18respectively. These magnets are of the solenoid type and their cores orreciprocating bars are designated 19 and 20 respectively. These bars areconnected with the opposite extremities of a lever or rock arm 21 whosecentral portion is made fast to the stem 22 of the valve 9. As thesemagnets are alternately energized in the manner hereinafter explained,the valve is operated to bring the corresponding tank into communicationwith the atmosphere or the suction pipe as may be desired. The valvecasing -as well as the electro-magnets, is mounted upon a stationaryframe work 23 having a depending part 24 upon which is fulcrumed asshown at 25, a lever 26 whose opposite extremities are provided withprojections 27 and 28. When the magnet 18 is energized, its bar 20 ismoved downwardly and acts on the arm 29 of the lever 26 to cause itsopposite arm 30 to move upwardly whereby the projection 28 is caused toengage two contacts 31 and 32, thus bridging the space between the saidcontacts and closing the circuit between two conductors 33 and 34, thelatter leading to one terminal of the magnet 17 and the former leadingto a contact screw 35 threadedy into the insulating box 46 mounted upona tank 5 or 6 as the case may be. To the inner extremity of the screw 35is attached a contact 36.

From the op osite terminalof the magnet 17 leads a conductor 37 to apole 38 of an electric source 39, from whose opposite pole leads aconductor 40 to a conductor 41, one extremity of which is connected witha contact 42 threaded into an insulating box 46. To the inner extremityof this screw is attached a contact 43.

When the magnet 17 is energized, the bar 19 is moved downwardly (seeFig. 6) and caused to act on the arm 30 of the lever 26 whereby theprojection 28 is disengaged from the contacts 31 and 32 and the contact27 upon the opposite arm of the lever caused to engage two contacts 44and 45 bridging the space between these two contacts and closing thecircuit between a conductor 47 and a conductor 48. The conductor 47,leads to a contact screw 49 threaded into an insulating box 46. At theinner extremity of this screw is attached a contact 50.

Connected by the opposite terminal of a magnet 18, is a conductor 51,which leads to the conductor 37 connected with the pole 38 of a sourceof electricity 39 as heretofore explained.

Each tank is connected by means of a branch pipe 52 with a standpipe 53.Below each branch pipe 52, is a casing 54 in which is located a ballcheck valve 55.

In each tank is mounted a rod 56 whose lower extremity is slidablymounted in a hollow plug 57 while its upper extremity passes through anopening 58 formed in the central part 59 of a spider with which the top60 of the tank is provided. Upon this rod is slidably mounted a hollowtioat 61. Made fast to the rod near the upper and lower extremitiesAthereof are two stops 62 and 63. As the water rises in the tank the ioatmoves upwardly and when the water has reached a predetermined level inthe tank, the float engages the upper stop 62 and as the water continuesto rise, the ioat lifts the rod to the position shown in full lines inFig. 4 and in dotted lines in Fig. 3 whereby its upper ball-shapedextremity' 64 is brought into engagement with the contact 50 and theupper extremity of the contact 43 within the insulating box 46 of thetank. When this occurs the space between the contacts -43 and 50 isbridged and the electric circuit is completed through the coils of themagnet 18. In this event thc path of the current may be traced asfollows beginning with the contact 50: From the last named contact thecurrent may be said to pass through the screw 49, the conductor 47, thecontact 44 Aand thence through the projection 27, a contact 45, thencethrough a conductor 48 to one terminal of the magnet coil, and thencethrough a conductor 51 to a conductor 37, thence to the pole 38 of theelectrical source 39 and thence from the opposite pole of the sourcethrough a conductor 40 to a conductor 41 and thence to the contact screw42, to the contact 43 and through the ball extremity 64 of the rod tothe contact 50 completing the circuit. As the magnet 18 is energized itacts to draw the bar 20 downwardly and this downward movement, acting onthe arm 29 of the llever 26 depresses the last named arm and disengagesthe projection 27 from the con! tacts 44 and 45 thus breaking the magnetcircuit. |This movement of the bar 20, however, due to the energizing ofthe magnet 18, acts to shift the valve 9 whereby its passage 12 isthrown out of communication with a branch suction pipe 16, while thcpassage l0 is brought into communication with the atmosphere since thesaid passage is brought intol alinement with the short open-ended pipe15. The water in the tank is caused to rise by virtue of the exhaustionof the air therefrom due to the tanks communication with a main suctionpipe 65 through the branch suction pipe 16. As soon, however, as thewater rises to the desired level in the tank as indicated in tank 5 (seeFig. 2), the valve is operated tovcut oli' communication with thesuction pipe and open communication with the atmosphere, with the resultthat the pressure of the atmosphere upon the liquid 66 within the tank,forces the liquid out of the tank through the branch pipe 52 into thestandpipe 53 and thence upwardly through the casing 54 opening a valve55 and causing it to enter the tank 6 above through a branch pipe 52,and hence it will be understood that as the water is driven out of thetank 5 it rises in the tank 6 and when it has become lowered to thedesired level in the tank 5, the float 61, engages the stop 63 on therod 56, and causes the rod to move downwardly disengaging the ball 64from the contacts 50 and 43 and bringing the said ball into engagementwith' the contact 36 and the lower extremity of the contact 43. Whenthis occurs the magnet 17 is energized and the path of the current maybe traced as follows: From the Contact 36 through a screw 35, aconductor33, to contact 31, thence through the projection 28 to the contact 32and thence through a conductor 34 to one terminal of the coil of themagnet 17 and thence from the other terminal of the coil through aconductor 37' to the pole 38 of the electric source 39 and' thencethrough a conductor 40 to a contact screw 42 and thence` through thecontact 43 and the ball 64 to the contact 36 completing the circuit.When this magnet 17 is energized, it acts to move the bar 19 downwardlywhereby the lever 26 is actuated to disengage the projection 28 from thecontacts 31 and 32 whereby the magnet circuit is broken. The downwardmovement of the bar 19, however, has been suficient by virtue of itsaction upon the lever 21, to shift the valve 9 whereby the passage 10 iscut oi from communication with the atmosphere and the passage 12 broughtinto communication with the branch suction pipe 16 whereby the water isagain caused to rise in the tank 5 or 6 as the case may be.

It will be understood that as the water is expelled from the tank 5 itrises in the tank 6 and the float in the last named tank acting upon itsrod 56, lifts the same to bring the ball 64 at the upper extremity ofthe rod into engagement with the contacts 43 and 50 of the tank 6 inthesame manner and with the same result heretofore described. In otherwords the tank 6 will by the operation of its corresponding valve 9 beopen to the atmosphere and communication with the suc? tion pipe cutoli'. As the atmosphere enters the tank 6, the water will be expelledand caused to enter the tank next above and 4so on through the entireseries of tanks until the water is raised to the desired height.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Means for elevating water, comprising a number of tanks, arranged oneabove another, a supply pipe in communication with all of the saidtanks, a check valve located in the supply pipe below each tank, a floatmounted in each tank, a vertically disposed rod actuated by the float, aconduit connected with each tank at one extremity, a valve easing withwhich its opposite extremity is connected, a valve located within thesaid casing, the said casing having a port communicating with theatmosphere, a suction pipe also in communication with the casing,electro-magnets for operating the valve, a contact device carried by thevertically disposed rod and arranged to close the circuit through one ofthe magnets for shifting the valve to communication with the atmospherewhen the tank is filled, and to close the circuit through another magnetfor shifting the valve to communication with the suction pipe when thetank is empty, and means independent of the said contact device forbreaking the circuit of the energized magnet as soon as it has completedthe valve movement, the said means comprising a lever actuated by themovable part of either magnet, a circuit connection whereby suchmovement of the lever breaks the circuit of the energized magnet,substantially as described.

2. Means for raising water, comprising a tank, a supply pipe connectedwith the said tank, a check valve located within'the supply pipe, aconduit connected with the upper part of the tank, valve mechanismconnected with the said conduit, a suction pipe also connected with thevalve mechanism, two electro-magnets for operating the valve to placethe tank alternately in communication with the atmosphere and with thesuction pipe through the said conduit, a float located within the tank,a contact device actuated by the float, whereby when the tank is iilledthe float serves to actuate the said device to close the circuit throughone of the magnets for shifting the valve to communication with theatmosphere, while when the tank is empty the device is actuated by theioat to close the circuit through the other magnet for shifting thevalve to communication with the suction pipe, land a rocking leverarranged to be acted on by the movable part of either ener gized magnet,whereby the circuit of the actuating magnet is broken simultaneouslywith the completion of the valve movement, substantially as described.

3. Means for raising water, comprising a number of tanks, arranged oneabove ythe other, a supply pi e connected with the tanks, check valvesor preventing the back tlow of the water from the tanks, a conduitconnected with the upper part of each tank, valve mechanism with whichthe said conduit is connected, a suction pipe also connected with thesaid valve mechanism, two electro-magnets for operating the valve of thesaid mechanism, a float located within each tank, a Contact devicecarried by each iloat, and arranged to close the circuit through one ofthe magnets for shitting the valve to'communica-tion with the atmospherewhen the tank is filled, and to close the circuit through the othermagnet for shifting the valve to communication with the suction pipewhen the tank is empty, the valve mechanism of two adjacent tanks beingreversely actuatedV at predetermined intervals, a rocking leverarrangedv to be acted on by the movable part of the energized magnet,and a circuit connection whereby each movement of the lever breaks thecircuit ot the actuated magnet, substanf tially as described.

4l. rlhe combination with a tank, a water supply pipe connectedtherewith, a check valve located in the supply pipe for control ling theentrance ci" water to the tank and iits exit therefrom a conduitconnected with the upper part of the tank, a valve casing with which thesaid conduit is in communication, a suction pipe also connected with thecasing, a valve piece located in the said casing, being movable to opencommunicalion between the conduit and the suction pipe or the atmosphereas may be desired, a lever connected with the valve piece,electro-magnets arranged in operative relation with the oppositeextremities of the lever, circuits in which the said magnets arelocated, a float located within the tank, a contact device actuated bythe iioat to close the circuit through one of the magnets for shittingthe valve to communication with the atmosphere when the float is raisedand 'to close the circuit through the other magnet' for shifting thevalve to communication with the suction pipe when the float is lowered,a rocking lever arranged to be actuated by the energized magnet, andcircuit connections whereby such movement of the lever serves to breakthe circuit of the energized magnet simultaneously with the completionoit' the valve operating movement, substantially as described.

5. VEhe combination with a tank, a water aaafrii supply pipe connectedwith the s aid tank, a check valve located within the said supply pipe,for controlling the entrance oi? water to and its exit from the saidtank, an insulating box attached to the top of the tank, a Contactlocated within the box, suction means, valve mechanism for alternatelyplacing the tank in communication with the suction means and with theatmosphere, electro-magnets toi' operating the va ve ot the saidmechanism, a float located within the tank, a contact device actuated bythe tloat and adapted 'to act upon the contacts within the insulatingboit when4 the float is raised toA energize one of the magnets 'foractuating the valve to place 'the tank in communication with theatmosphere, and to -act upon the said contacts when the 'tloat islowered to close-the circuit 'through one of: the other magnets forenergizing the same to actuate the valve tor placing the tank incommunication with the suction means, a rocking lever arranged to beacted upon by the electro-magnets, and circuit connections whereby 'themovement of 'the lever breaks the circuit of the magnet simultaneouslywith the completion of the valve operating movement, substantially asdescribed.

ti. Means for raising water by alternately exhausting the air from andadmitting it to a series of tanks arranged one above another, and soarranged that as the air is entering a lower tank it is exhausted fromone above,

causing the water to pass 'from a lower tank to an upper tank,electro-magnets dtor regir lating the supply ot air to and exhaust ofair from the diilerent tanks a tloat located within each tank, a contactdevice 4actuated by the float to close the circuit through one of themagnets to place the tank in communication with the air when the floatis raised and to close the circuit through another magnet or placing thetank in comu munication with 'the exhaust when the float is lowered, alever arranged to be actuated by the electro-magnets, and circuitconnections, whereby the said movement` et the lever serves to break thecircuit of the electromagiiet simultaneously with the valve operatingmovement, substantially as described.

ln testimony whereof l antik my signature in presence of two witnesses.

d. IBRIEN, Dana NELSON'.

